Don’t get us wrong – your dad appreciated the thought. But if we’re honest with ourselves, there wasn’t much thought in those gifts, was there?

According to the Wall Street Journal and the National Retail Federation, we spend 41 percent more on Mother’s Day compared to Father’s Day. And, heck, mom deserves to be showered with love and gifts on that day – and more than that day.

Let’s not forget about dad, though. That love and appreciation you have for him doesn’t have to be shown with your wallet, either.

If you’re lucky enough that you get to do it in person, Sunday is an opportunity for sons and daughters across the area. Dad is more than a provider, grillmaster or any of the other stereotypes we assign to our fathers. Dads have made tremendous strides to be so much more than that.

So Sunday is about finding the way to show your dad you appreciate him. Maybe you haven’t found the words or actions to let him know. Maybe you just haven’t done it in a while. Maybe it’s been so long, you’ve forgotten how.

None of that matters. Sunday is the day to let dad know how thankful you are for everything he’s done for you. Every long talk, every piece of advice, every shared moment after a 12-hour day at work trying to provide for the family.

And yes, every ballgame, grillout and handyman fix, too.

We may not take advantage of every opportunity to say so, but dads deserve every ounce of our thanks. Pride is a word that comes to mind when we think of fathers, and that we hope we make our own dad proud of what we’ve become as adults.